Final answer:
It is not always legal to copy and share music found on the internet due to copyright laws protecting the rights of the content creators. Unless the music is explicitly provided under a license that allows for such actions or is in the public domain, doing so would be illegal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question you have asked relates to the legality of copying and sharing music found on the internet, which is under the domain of intellectual property laws. It is not always okay to copy and share music because the rights to distribute and reproduce the music are typically owned by the copyright holder. This means that unless you have the permission of the copyright holder or the music is licensed in a way that allows for free redistribution, such as under a Creative Commons license, it is illegal to share or copy the music.
State and federal governments have enacted copyright laws that protect creative works. If you circumvent these rights without permission, you are infringing upon the copyright holder's rights, which is both unethical and illegal. In the Supreme Court case MGM Studios v. Grokster (2005), it was ruled that entities enabling copyright infringement through file-sharing services could be held accountable. Therefore, it's important to respect these rights unless the creator has given explicit permission or marked the work for free distribution under certain terms, as is sometimes the case with content under Creative Commons licenses that stipulate you can share, copy, and redistribute the material.
To determine whether it is acceptable to copy and share music, you should look for indications that it is in the public domain, has a permissible use license, or you have received explicit permission. Be mindful of the noncommercial clause included in some licenses that allows sharing but restricts any form of monetary gain from the use of the intellectual property. Lastly, interpretation of intellectual property laws can vary significantly by country, adding another layer of complexity to sharing music legally. As a general rule, assume that music is protected by copyright unless it specifically states otherwise.